National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) First Vice President Barnaba Korir believes Kenya’s young track stars have gained the confidence and competitive edge needed to spearhead the country’s quest for glory at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Kenya’s youngsters have been in impressive form at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, delivering a string of podium finishes since the athletics programme got underway on Sunday.
On Monday evening, the country extended its dominance on the global youth stage as distance sensation Faith Rono stormed to gold in the girls’ 3,000m.
Rono won in 9:15.47, narrowly edging Ethiopia’s Tsigab Yordanos, who clocked 9:15.71 to settle for silver. Uganda’s Keren Chelimo completed the podium in third place in 9:32.41.
Elsewhere, water-and-barrier specialist Wesley Kiplagat bagged silver in the boys’ 2,000m steeplechase after clocking 5:36.28. Ethiopia’s Abdo Junedin claimed gold in 5:29.30, while Uganda’s Michael Kibet settled for bronze in 5:39.50 to complete the podium.
Impressed by the youngsters’ performances, Korir is convinced Kenya has the talent and fighting spirit to make its mark on the global stage in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi.
“As we look towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games LA28 and the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi, we have every reason to keep building with confidence,” he said.
Korir, who also serves as Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth Development chairman, praised the youngsters for their grit and determination, saying their refusal to give up is what has defined Kenya’s athletics legacy. “It has been decades since I witnessed Kenyan athletes fight so fiercely to the finish line, refusing to surrender until the very last stride.”
“What we are witnessing at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games is a reminder of the competitive spirit that built Kenya’s athletics legacy,” he added.
He noted that nurturing this fighting spirit has been a key focus of the country’s youth development programme, which seeks to prepare young athletes for the demands of international competition. “I am particularly encouraged because this is the kind of fighting spirit our youth development programme seeks to nurture.”
“It also speaks to the dedication of coaches who understand these young runners, identify their potential and guide them through the demands of international competition,” he noted.
Korir further underscored the importance of structured training and quality coaching in developing the next generation of Kenyan athletics stars. “These performances demonstrate the value of investing in talent development, structured training and quality coaching.”
Rono, who trains at Lemotit Athletics Club, said she was determined to make amends in Dakar after struggling at the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon. “I would like to thank God for this win. The race was good, and I was determined to win a gold medal. The competition was tough, and I saw Yordanos trying to beat me to the finish line, but I was not worried. I let her go ahead to assess her strength before making my move,” Rono said.
“My coach had instructed me to lead during the first four laps to test the waters and assess my competitors. “I feel good about winning a gold medal here because when I went to Oregon, the weather conditions were a bit harsh on me. That motivated me even more to come to Dakar and deliver something special,” she added.
Kenya launched its Dakar campaign on Sunday, sweeping two gold medals through Abigail Kosgei and Enock Tuitoek to announce its intentions at the Games. Kosgei dominated the girls’ 2,000m steeplechase, winning in 6:30.24 to secure the first gold.
Ethiopia’s Tsedikan Mekonen claimed silver in 6:32.15, while Turkey’s Elif Celik settled for bronze in 6:36.99. Tuitoek completed Kenya’s golden double by powering to victory in the boys’ 3,000m, clocking 8:07.69. Ethiopia’s Goytom Mekonen finished second in 8:08.24, while France’s Meziane Benhammou completed the podium in 8:11.59.